Rogers and Fido to Introduce New Fee for 2G and 3G Users
Starting in May, rogers and Fido will implement a $3 monthly fee for customers who only use their 2G and 3G networks. This change was communicated to users through emails sent last week, wich informed them about the upcoming charge if they are still using 3G services. The companies have also updated their support pages with details regarding the retirement of the 3G network.Understanding the New Charge
According to data provided by Rogers, they will begin monitoring customer network usage in May. Those who continue to rely solely on either the 2G or 3G networks will see a new line item labeled ‘Legacy Network Usage’ on their bills each month.The company stated that this fee is necessary to help cover some of the costs associated with maintaining older systems. Customers will incur this charge as long as they remain on thes outdated networks.
Avoiding the Fee
To avoid this additional cost, customers can switch to using either 4G or 5G services instead. For many users, this may require upgrading their devices to ones that support these newer technologies. Rogers has mentioned that there are options available for no-cost upgrades, which would eliminate the $3 fee once customers transition away from older network usage.
Customer Reactions
Many Fido users have taken to social media platforms like Reddit to voice their concerns about this new charge. Some expressed dissatisfaction as they depend on 3G connectivity due to poor service quality from Fido’s existing 4G coverage in certain areas.
Others where frustrated because they preferred not to upgrade their current phones but found those devices incompatible with rogers' newer network standards.A number of individuals reported owning OnePlus smartphones capable of supporting both 4G and 5G but still received notifications regarding the impending fee related to continued use of the outdated network.
VoLTE Compatibility Issues
A significant part of these complaints revolves around Voice over LTE (VoLTE) support. VoLTE enables calls over a faster LTE connection; though, when Rogers shuts down its existing 3G service later this year, only devices equipped with VoLTE capabilities will function properly on its network.
Some users claim that even though they possess VoLTE-compatible phones, those devices cannot access VoLTE services through Rogers due primarily to compatibility issues set by the company itself—especially affecting models not sold directly by them like OnePlus phones.
Escalating Concerns Among Users
Several affected customers have threatened action against Rogers by considering filing complaints with regulatory bodies such as CCTS (Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services). Others discussed switching providers altogether due to dissatisfaction with how these changes are being handled.
Rogers Not Alone in Charging Fees
Rogers and Fido aren’t unique in implementing fees related specifically for continued use of legacy networks; Koodo—a subsidiary owned by Telus—also began charging $3 last year for customers utilizing devices reliant on outdated technology for voice calls or data transmission. At that time, Koodo noted that only a small fraction (about two percent) of its customer base was still using such legacy systems.
Looking Ahead: Network Shutdown Timeline
It’s critically importent for consumers using these older technologies at present time: Rogers plans officially retire its entire operational framework supporting any form of dialog via its current third-generation (3G) system effective July 31st in 2025.
